Franklin teen held on bail in assault of fellow student

A judge yesterday forbade a Franklin High School student accused of videotaping an assault at the school and posting it online from accessing the Internet, contacting the victim or going to school. Judge Emogene Johnson-Smith accepted prosecutors’ request that Jeremiah Ramirez, 18, of 73 Wachusett St., Franklin, be held on $1,000 cash bail at his arraignment in Wrentham District Court.

By Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Posted May. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 2, 2012 at 2:04 AM

By Brian Benson/Daily News staff

Posted May. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 2, 2012 at 2:04 AM

WRENTHAM

» Social News

A judge yesterday forbade a Franklin High School student accused of videotaping an assault at the school and posting it online from accessing the Internet, contacting the victim or going to school.

Judge Emogene Johnson-Smith accepted prosecutors’ request that Jeremiah Ramirez, 18, of 73 Wachusett St., Franklin, be held on $1,000 cash bail at his arraignment in Wrentham District Court.

Johnson-Smith said Ramirez “certainly seemed to be a willing participant.”

Police say Ramirez videotaped David Salmon, 17, punching fellow student Cory Pingeton in the hallway at school last Thursday.

Ramirez and Salmon have been suspended from school, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Rowe said.

Rowe said Ramirez recorded the incident on video and posted it to his Twitter account.

Ramirez’s attorney, Paul Carlucci, said his client knew an argument might take place but didn’t know what action Salmon would take.

Carlucci, in arguing that Ramirez should be released without bail, said Ramirez was a senior just weeks away from graduating.

Ramirez told police he could tell Salmon was mad and tried to calm him before the punch, Officer Donald MacLean wrote in a report included in court documents.

The video shows Ramirez making a hand gesture to Salmon and another student in the hallway. It then shows the victim, 18-year-old Cory Pingeton, walking down the hallway and being struck in the face by Salmon, MacLean wrote.

Ramirez told police he recorded the incident because he thought it would be an argument, according to the report.

“He said he was very surprised by David hitting (Pingeton) like that and said it was a cowardly act,” MacLean wrote.

Police have said they believe Salmon thought the victim was “talking trash” about him, prompting the assault. Pingeton’s lawyer, Martin Kane, has said his client did not speak ill of Salmon.

Ramirez is scheduled to return to court on May 23. It was not known whether he was able to pay the bail.

Brian Benson can be reached at 508-634-7582 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com.